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July 19 2002
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Brewers are putting the brakes on alcohol content to avoid paying more tax - and, apparently, to save you money, writes Jenny Hailstone.

For some, the unthinkable is happening - brewing giants Carlton and United Breweries (CUB) and Lion Nathan have announced they will cut the alcohol content of Australia's most popular beer brands to avoid further price rises.

Faced with falling levels of beer consumption and increased competition from mixed-drink categories, the companies defend the move as a way to reduce the amount of excise they pay when the Government increases its tax on alcohol from August 1.

Iconic Aussie brewer Foster's will cut the alcohol level in its biggest-selling tap beers, Carlton Draught and Carlton Cold, from 4.9 per cent to 4.7 per cent later this month. And while several Foster's light beers have already had their alcohol strengths cut, loyal consumers will be happy to know that market-leader Victoria Bitter will remain as strong as ever.

Chief competitor Lion Nathan has also cut the alcohol level of popular brands such as Tooheys Red, Tooheys Blue and Tooheys Gold by up to 0.3 per cent. Although there's no official comment from the spin doctors, the Lion Nathan corporate Web site (www.lion-nathan.com.au) continues to advertise Tooheys Red with its former alcohol content of 4.5 per cent.

Industry sources, however, say the change in alcohol content is very minor and will ultimately reduce the cost to consumers.");document.write("

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CUB marketing and communications manager David Park told ABC Radio that the number of recommended standard drinks per day hadn't changed. "A 375ml stubby or can still delivers 1.4 standard drinks," he said.

While many drinkers may be disappointed with the idea of less-than-full-strength beer, Australia's pale ale continues to rate highly on Beer Trash Net (http://beer.trash.net). The virtual beer server lists hundreds of beers from around the world in order of alcohol volume, brewery and type, with Victoria Bitter winning a place in the site's 10 best brews.

But if you really can't stand the thought of buying weaker beer, why not have a go at making your own? iBrew (www.ibrew.com.au) offers a range of equipment for beginners and experienced brewers alike. The beer packs make about 30 bottles of beer and include traditional bitter ales, export draughts, premium lagers, Bavarian brews, stouts and the "summer in a glass" Festival Ale made from Australian honey, barley, malt and hops.

Serious home brewers can also find five-gallon recipes for ales and lagers at Weekend Brewer (www.weekendbrewer.com).

Once you've mastered the rewarding art of home brewing, head over to Canon Print Planet for personalised touches such as the old-world, "Good for what ales you", bottle label (www.canonprintplanet.com./hobbies/bottlelabels/beerlabels/index.html).

If you think your home brew belongs in the beer hall of fame, why not enter it in the world's largest annual international beer competition? Aimed at professional brewers, the Australian International Beer Awards (www.beerawards.com) encourage local and international brewers to compete for the title of best beer on the planet. Previous winners of the Best Beer Award include Tooheys Hahn Premium, Tooheys Hahn Ice and the seriously alcoholic Coopers Best Extra Stout.

Beer traditionalists having a hard time over the changes to their favourite formula may want to stock up on the original product at Vintage Cellars (www.vintagecellars.com.au). The site offers cartons of old-style Carlton Cold and Carlton Draught, plus many other full-strength Aussie brands.

Helpfully, the Foster's site (www.fosters.com.au) has a section on the health benefits of beer to remind us to keep drinking their products. Moderate beer consumption can play a part in a healthy diet, according to the site, and drinking three glasses of beer a day could reduce the risk of heart attack by 25 per cent. Keep this in mind the next time you go to the pub.